Sno-park snow depths:
Virginia Meissner: About 20-28 inches
Swampy Lakes: About 36-44 inches
Wanoga Snoplay Area and Sno-park: 28-34 inches
Dutch-man Flat: 82-86 inches
Crescent: About 20-26 inches
Edison Butte: 20-28 inches — watch for rocks and low-snow hazards
Upper Three Creek: 18-24 inches, watch for low-snow hazards
Ten Mile Sno-park: About 12-18 inches
New snow in the mid- to upper- elevations has improved conditions substantially. Lower-elevation sno-parks are still somewhat snow challenged. Expect some warmer weather this week. It may hit the low 50s in Bend.
Snowshoers and dog owners:
As the numbers of snowshoers grows substantially, it’s important to remind everyone to “share the snow, not the tracks." Snowshoers are welcome on ski trails, but should set a separate track at least two feet from the ski tracks. Walking in the ski track can cause hazards for skiers. For snowshoe-designated trails, check out Dutchman Flat, Swampy Lakes, Virginia Meissner and Edison Butte sno-parks.
If you want to hit the trails with your dog, Edison and Wanoga are open to canine pets. Leashes are required in the sno-park area but are optional out on the trails. Please practice canine courtesy and clean up after your dog. Other sno-parks are closed to dogs.
Avalanche info:
With warm temps, there is an increase in likelihood for avalanche activity over the next few days. Freezing rain in the upper elevations last week created a rain lens in the snowpack, which means questionable conditions for backcountry and off-trail users. It’s the responsibility of the backcountry users to assess the slopes and determine their stability. It is important to have the equipment (beacon, probe and shovel), skills and training to be able to assess the conditions and perform a rescue if necessary.
Specific areas:
•Wanoga Snoplay Area has been a pretty popular area. Conditions were icy and fast over the weekend but have improved with the new snow.
• There has been minimal new snow in the Newberry Volcanic National Monument area.
• Crescent has received a few inches of new snow. Snowmobile trail grooming is ongoing.
Low-elevation trails:
Snow-free trails (including Phil’s Trail, the lower Deschutes River trail, Peterson Ridge and Metolius River trails) could be under springlike freeze-thaw conditions. The U.S. Forest Service encourages summer trail users to avoid soft or muddy trails. Most summer trails above 4,000-4,200 feet are covered in snow or ice.
Similarly, graveled and unsurfaced roads can become soft and muddy and can become seriously rutted if people drive on the roads. Please avoid such roads to prevent costly road damage.
